Animated display means simulating appearance of effervescing fluid



1 July 11, 1961 C. E. TRA ANIMATED DISPLAY MEANS SIMULATING APPEARANCEOF EFFERVESCING FLUID Filed Aug. 15, 1960 FIG. 2.-

IN VEN TOR.

FIG. 3.

ATTORNEYS.

CHARL 8 E. T R AME.

tates 'This invention relates to animated displays and more particularlyto display means simulating the appearance of an efiervescing fluid suchas a soft drink, beer, medicinal preparation or the like.

An object of this invention is to provide a display means simulating theappearance of a transparent walled vessel containing eifervescing fluidssuch as beer, soft drinks, medicinal preparations or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide for an advertisingdisplayan impervious, inert chamber-enclosing-wall enveloping acup-shapedfluid-filled chamber, a portion of the volume of which contains liquidfluid and the balance of the chamber contains gaseous fluid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the abovecharacter having a mat clamped between the spaced wall portions definingthe bottom of the cupshaped chamber and which mat is inert to attack bythe fluid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the foregoingcharacter in which a vapor-collecting dome is provided in superadjacentrelation to the central portion of the mat and which is adapted toreceive and accumulate vapor generated by application of heat to thebottom of said chamber wall.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the abovecharacter which contains a thin layer of fluid so disposed as to givethe illusion of a fluid-filled vessel and which upon application of heatto the wall beneath a mat results in vaporization of liquid in the matand beneath the vapor-collecting dome until suflicient vapor pressure isgenerated to force vapor bubbles through the interstices of the mat toperipheral areas thereof from which bubbles escape to rise freelythrough the liquid and escape to the gas filled portion of the chamberwhere vapor is condensed to return to the fluid-filled portion.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device simulating theapppearance of a beer stein having a central transparent section throughwhich vapor bubbles rising through the liquid may be viewed to createthe illusion of beverage content.

- Another object of this invention is to provide a device of theforegoing character in which the lower portion of the stein simulatingstructure may rotate about a vertical axis to attract attention to thedisplay through motion.

Another object of this invention is to provide an animated displaydevice of the above character in which heat is provided by an electriclamp which also illuminates the bubbles rising through the liquid toprovide a sparkling efiect.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the abovecharacter in which means are provided for regulating air flow in thevicinity of the light bulb to regulate the quantity of heat applied tothe chamber to produce vapor at a rate necessary to maintain the desiredrate of bubble production.

The above and other objects and features of this in vention will be inpart apparent and will in part be obvious to those having ordinary skillin the art to which this invention pertains, from the followingdescription, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

In the drawing, FIG- 1 is a view'in elevation of an animated display iceembodying the instant invention and simulating the appearance of abeverage stein; and

FIG. 2 is a view in vertical section taken generally along the line 22in FIG. 1, portions of the structure being broken away to more clearlyillustrate details of construction; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmental view in vertical section of a portionof the structure shown in FIG. 2.

In the drawings and following specification, like reference charactersindicate like parts.

The embodiment of the invention. illustrated in the drawings simulatesthe appearance of a beer stein and is suitable for use as an advertisingdisplay of substantial dimensions and in which the appearance of aneffervescing beverage may be produced through the use of a sealedchamber partly filled with liquid. The embodiment illustrated in thedrawings with particular reference to FIG. 2 has a frame 15. The frame15 comprises a ring portion 16, a mounting bracket portion 17, and slingportion 18. The component portions 16, 17, and 18 of frame 15 may befabricated or joined in unitary relation by means of welds or the like.

Frame portion 15 is secured to a member 19 which is integrally mountedin fixed relation to a wall or other suitable supporting structure.Member 19 may be an element such as an electrical junction box embeddedin a wall. Mounting screws 20 have threaded shanks which extend incooperating relation to lug191 and through clearance aperture 14provided in mounting bracket portion 17. Heads 21 of screws 20 clamp thebracket 17 against electrical junction box 19 to secure the bracket 17and the frame 15 in fixed relation thereto with ring portion 16 disposedin a substantially horizontal attitude. A socket 40 having mounting tab41 is secured by'nv'et' 42 to frame sling portion 18. An incandescentlight bulb 43 is in cooperating relation tosocket 40 and supported incentered subjacent relation to the central aperture 161 provided inframe ring portion 16. The peripheral margin of frame ring portion 16 isturned upwardly to form a rim flange 44 which assists in location andretention of a device supported upon frame ring portion 16 in apredetermined position.

Frame ring portion 16 is adapted to support a generallycup-shaped-chamber-defining transparent envelope 22, which may be ofglass or other suitable material having properties of strength andchemical inertness to the substances with which it may be expected tocome in contact. The envelope 22 comprises an outer shell portion 23 andan inner shell portion 24. Outer shell portion 23 is of generallycup-shape, having a bottom 25 and an upstanding wall 26 which terminatesin rim or edge 27. The inner shell 24 comprises a hollow glass vesselhaving an upstanding wall 28 which extends upwardly and is joined toneck portion v29 by inwardly turned portion 14. Neck portion 29 extendsupwardly to an outwardly flaring mouth portion 30, the peripheral edgeof which is turned upwardly to form a lip-like cylindrical rim having anedge 31. The bottom of inner shell 24 comprises a conic ring formportion 32 extending in integral relation from the lower portion of wall28 to the upper portion of depending lip 281. Depending lip 281 isjoined by curve portion 34 to the peripheral portion of vapor-collectingdome 33.

Envelope 22 is assembled by placing mat or pad 35 inside outer shellportion 23 in a position in which it covers the central portion ofbottom 25. The pad 3 5 shown in the drawing is a felt-like mat of glassfibers having a density and interfiber spacing of predeterminedcharacter which will be subsequently explained. After mat 35 is placed,as shown in FIG. 2, the inner shell 24 is advanced into co-axialrelationnto .andwithin cuter she'll portion 23. The thickness anddensity of pad 35 and the axial dimension of shell 24 are such that thecurve portion 34 presents an annular rim or depending portion of adiameter approximately the diameter of bulb 43, a'nnu'larly ofvapor-collecting dome 33 so as to compress pad 35 in the manner shown inFIG. 2. It will be noted as shown in FIG. 2, the central portion of mat35 under vapor-collecting dome 33 is substantially uncompressed and isin spaced relation to the central portion of dome 33 while portion 34 ispressed into mat 35 when the edges 27- and 31 of the respective shellportions 23 and 24 are in adjacent relation suitable for fusing of therim portions 27, 31 of said shells to join the inner and outer shellsinto a unitaryenvelope which encloses a cupshaped-shel-l-form chamber38. As shown in FIG. 2, a filling neck 36 is provided as an integralportion of inner shell portion 24 and the bore 37 extendingtherethrough, provides communication between the free atmosphere andchamber 38.

A suitable fluid 45 such as a methylene chloride in liquid form isintroduced through bore 37 into chamber 38. I have found that thequantity of methylene chloride introduced in the embodiment illustratedin the drawing may occupy a volume of the order of two-thirds of thevolume of chamber 38. Thereafter, the remaining volume of chamber 38 ispreferably filled substantially with methylene chloride vapor 46 andfiller neck 36 is fused shut at 39 to seal envelope 22 and preclude theescape of methylene chloride from chamber 38.

When envelope 22 has been assembled, filled, and sealed, as described,it is adapted for use in display devices simulating the appearance oftransparent containers of eifervescing fluids. It is to be noted thatthe thin shell of fluid 45-disposed between walls 26 and 28 hassubstantially the same appearance to an observer as would the outerenvelope filled with such fluid in the absence of inner shell 24. Thefact that the presence of inner shell 24 is not readily apparent in adevice such as is shown in FIG. 1, is due in part to the fact that athin opaque band 47 conceals the gas filled portion of chamber 38 andthe envelope 22 defining same by reason of the fact that the lower edge48 of the opaque band 47 extends below the upper surface 49 of theliquid in chamber 38.

As shown, suitable conductors of electrical energy wires 5051, extendfrom socket 40 to a source of electricity (not shown), such thatincandescent light bulb 43 is illuminated by electrical energy suppliedthrough wire conductors 5051. Such operation of lamp bulb 43 produceslight and heat. Since the envelope 22 is transparent, some of the lightemitted from bulb 43 passes upwardly through the envelope andilluminates the liquid contained therein.

The heat produced by bulb 43 rises upwardyy and heats the centralportion of the bottom 25 of outer shell portion 23. The area heated isprimarily the area overlain by mat 35 which tends to restrict fluid flowin the vicinity of the heated portion of bottom 25. When the liquid 45contained in chamber 38 is methylene chloride, such local application ofheat raises the temperature of bottom 25 to the boiling point ofmethylene chloride, approximately 104 Fahrenheit, and boiling orvaporization of the liquid commences. The flow of liquid methylenechloride into the heating zone is restricted by the mat 35 as Well asthe previously formed methylene chloride vapor substantially filling theinterfiber spaces in at least the central portion of the mat 35. Aportion of such vapor rises into dome 33 displacing any liquid methylenechloride therein. As the vaporization of methylene chloride progressesin the mat 35, vapor will be forced outwardly in a generally radialdirection through the interfiber spaces of pad 35 from which the vaporescapes in the form of bubbles 52, 53. These bubbles 52, 53, upon escapefrom met 35 move upwardly through the liquid methylene chloride .45 andinterface .49 .to, the gas-filled portiqn 9f Chamber 38 designated bythe reference character 38G. Condensation of methylene chloride vaporoccurs in chamber portion 386 and as apparent from FIG. 2, condensate isfree to drain into the liquid filled portion of chamber 38 whereby themovement of vapor upwardly through the liquid methylene chloride willeventually be at a rate in equilibrium with the rate of return ofcondensed methylene chloride from chamber portion 38G. It may also benoted that Where the curve portion 34 is in compressing relation to mat35, there will be gaps or spaces through which vapor may travel betweenthe fibers of mat 35 and the surface of inner shell portion of envelope22. The bubbles 52 of vapor which escape through apertures or spacesbetween the inner shell portion 24 of envelope 22 and mat 3-5 tend toissue as streams of individual bubbles 52 while those bubbles 53 ofvapor which escape by passage between the fibers of the mat spaced fromthe envelope tend to issue in a random fashion as bubbles'53 which donot appear to be released in stream form. The size range of bubbles 52,53, which escape may be regulated by the density of the mat, that is,the interfiber spacing, and to some extent by the degree of heatingapplied to the mat-occupied region. The degree of heating affects thequantity or volume of vapor produced and thus the volume and number ofvapor bubbles 52, 53 produced to rise upwardly through the liquid 45.

A cup-like shell portion 54 is provided to decoratively house the lowerportion of envelope 22, frame portions 16, 18, light bulb 43, and socket40.

To secure cup-like screen portion 54 in desired relation to the otherportion of the device shown, a suitable vertical shaft motor 55, whichmay be of the synchronous clock type adapted to have an output shaftspeed in the range of a few revolutions-per-minute, is mounted uponframe sling portion 18 in which an aperture 181 has been provided toallow downward projection of motor shaft 56. A suitable collar 57 may besecured to motor shaft, 56 by set screw 58. Collar 57 is adapted tocooperate with screen portion 54 so as to couple the latter to motorshaft 56 for rotation in unison therewith. An ornamentai retaining nut59 in threaded relation to a portion of collar 57 prevents disengagementof screen 54 from collar 57. As shown in FIG. 2, screen 54 may be of acuplike shape having a rim of slightly larger diameter than the framering portion 16 and the lower portion of envelope 22 adjacent thereto.Such dimensioning of screen 54, results in a narrow annular slot 61through which circulating air may rise. To regulate the rate of aircirculation, apertures 62 are provided in the bottom 63 of screen 54.Air may pass through apertures 62 due to heating of air withincup-screen 54 when light bulb 43, as well as motor 55, which are wiredin parallel for unison operation, are in operation and produce heat.Since only a portion of the heat produced is utilized in thevaporization of liquid beneath vapor dome 33, the air moving upwardlythrough apertures 62 serves to carry away excess heat through slot 61 byconvection.

Since conditions under which devices of the instant character mustoperate will vary from place to place, I prefer to provide apertures 62of substantially maximum possible desired size and then provideregulator 65 having aperture 66 which may be shifted relative to screenbottom 63 to alter the effective area of apertures 62 and thereby effectregulation of the quantity of heat supplied to the bottom 25 of envelope22 beneath pad 35. The even distribution and/ or dissipation of heat isenhanced by the fact that screen portion 54 is rotated by operation ofmotor 55.

When the device shown in the drawings is used as an attention-attractingdisplay, advertising material v(not shown) may be placed upon variousportions thereof, particularly upon the exterior surface of screen 54which screen in such case, would preferably be of translucent character,so that light bulb 43 would also serve to backlight such indicia as mayappear on screen 54.

As shown in FIGS. tans-2, the upper portions of en velope 22 areconcealed by'opaque band 47. Band", which may be ofthin opaque-materialapplied to theexterior surface of envelope 22, .or may be an integralpor-. tion of a cap-like structure 70 formed of any suitable m le terialsuch as die cast synthetic resins, metals, or the like. Band 47 maysimulate the appearance of a collar of beer foam upon the top of thefluid simulating the appearance of effervescing beer contained in andvisible through the exposed portions of the transparent walls ofenvelope 22. The cap portion 70 may have as an integral portion thereofa simulated hinge portion 71 and handle 72. If desired, I have found theportion 47 may be formed to snugly receive and engage the upper portionof envelope 22 and thus serve as mounting means for the portions 70, 71,72, which, as shown, are in unitary relation thereto.

Having thus described an illustrative embodiment of the invention, itwill be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art to which thisinvention pertains, that various changes may be made in the embodimentof the invention without departing from either the spirit or scopethereof in view of the appended claims. Therefor, what is claimed as newand desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In an illuminated advertising display the combination comprising aglass envelope defining a closed fluid chamber, fluid in liquid andgaseous states filling saidchamber, a fibrous mat clamped in fixedrelation in the bottom of said chamber between adjacent spaced portionsof said glass envelope, said envelope having a domed vapor trappingportion above said mat, a light and heat source subjacent said mat andadapted to vaporize said liquid to supply vapor to said vapor trap fromwhich vapor escapes through the mat as random bubbles and as streams ofbubbles within limits of predetermined size range which are illuminatedby said light source as they rise through said liquid to the gas filledvapor condensing, portion of said chamber.

2. In an advertising display the combination comprising a glass envelopedefining a cup-shaped shell-formclosed fluid chamber, fluid in liquidand gaseous states filling said chamber, a mat clamped in fixed relationin the bottom of said cup-shaped chamber between adjacent spacedportions of said glass envelope, said envelope having a domed vaportrapping portion above said mat, a

. heat source subjacent said mat and adapted to vaporize.

said liquid to supply vapor to said vapor trap from which vapor escapesthrough the mat as random bubbles within limits of predetermined sizerange which rise through said liquid to the gas filled vapor condensingportion of said chamber.

3. In an advertising display the combination comprising a glass envelopedefining a cup-shaped shell-form closed fluid chamber, fluid in liquidand gaseous states filling said chamber, a fibrous mat clamped in fixedrelation in the bottom of said cup-shaped chamber between adjacentspaced portions of said glass envelope, said envelope having a domedvapor trapping portion above said mat, a heat source subjacent said matand adapted to vaporize said liquid to supply vapor to said vapor trapfrom which vapor escapes through the mat as random bubbles and asstreams of bubbles within limits of predetermined size range which risethrough said liquid to the gas filled vapor condensing portion of saidchamber.

4. In an illuminated advertising display the combina-.- tion comprisinga glass envelope defining a cup-shapedshell form closed fluid chamber,fluid in liquid and gaseous states filling said chamber, a fibrous matclamped in fixed relation in the bottom of said cup-shaped chamberbetween adjacent spaced portions of said glass envelope,

to said vapor trap from which vapor escapes through the mat as randomvbubbles and as streams of bubbles within limits of predetermined sizerange which are illuminated by saidlight source-as they'rise throughsaid liquid to the gas filled vapor condensing portion of said chamber.

5. In an illuminated advertising display the combina tion comprising aglass envelope defining a cup-shaped shell-form closed fluid chamber,fiuid in liquid and gaseous states filling said chamber, a fibrous mathaving a ring-shaped area clamped in fixed relation in the bottom ofsaid cup-shaped chamber between adjacent spaced portions of said glassenvelope, said envelope having a domed vapor trapping portion above asubstantially uncompressed portion of said mat, surrounded by aringshaped portion compressed to greater density having reducedinterfiber spacing to restrict fluid flow therethrough, a light and heatsource subjacent said mat and adapted to vaporize said liquid to supplyvapor to said vapor trap from which vapor escapes through the mat asrandom bubbles and as streams of bubbles within limits of size rangepredetermined by interfiber spacing and which bubbles are illuminated bysaid light source as they rise through said liquid to the gas filledvapor condensing portion of said chamber.

6. In an illuminated advertising display the combination comprising aglass envelope defining a cup-shaped closed fluid chamber, fluid inliquid and gaseous states filling said chamber, a fibrous mat having aring-shaped area clamped in fixed relation in the bottom of saidcupshaped chamber between adjacent spaced portions of said glassenvelope, said envelope having a domed vapor trapping portion above asubstantially uncompressed portion of said mat surrounded by saidring-shaped portion compressed to greater density with reducedinterfiber spacing to restrict fluid flow therethrough, a light and heatsource adjacent said mat and adapted to supply heat for vaporizing saidliquid, a screen adapted for regulating the flow of heat removing airand the rate of fluid vaporization to control the supply of vapor tosaid vapor trap from which vapor escapes between fibers of the mat asrandom bubbles and as streams of bubbles Within limits of predeterminedsize range which are illuminated by said light source as they risethrough said liquid to the gas filled vapor condensing portion of saidchamber.

7. An animated advertising display comprising a frame adapted to besecured to a support, a transparent en velope supported upon said frameand defining a thin shell-like cup-form chamber, said chamber beingsubstantially filled with fluid in liquid and gaseous states, anelectrically operated light and heat source supported by said frame insubjacent relation to said chamber defining envelope, a cup form shellsupported by said motor and rotatable thereby, said shell receiving saidlight, motor and substantial portions of said frame and having a rim inclose spaced relation to said chamber defining envelope, there beingapertures in the bottom of said cup, means for obstructing portions ofsaid apertures, and means in said envelope defined chamber forcontrolling fluid movement adjacent the area of said envelope to whichheat is applied, said motor rotating said shell to permit substantiallyeven flow of air upwardly therethrough at a predetermined rate to efiecteven removal of excess heat from adjacent said envelope bottom wherebythe appearance of a vessel containing an effervescent fluid may besimulated.

8. A device according to claim 7 characterized by the fact that theupper portion of said envelope is encased by said envelope having adomed vapor trapping portion an opaque band concealing the gaseous fluidcontaining 7 portion of said envelope defined chamber whereby a foam2,i5,Q53 collared efierverscing beverage may be simulated. 2,378,934

e 2583,941' References Clted 1n the file of th1s patent 2520691 I UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Y Y 5 2573574111 Re. 22,289 Otis Mar. 16, 1943

